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Resource Guide
Visiting the House or Apartment
(the following points are as advised by Georgetown University)
- Make an Appointment and Arrive on Time - Landlords
usually do not appreciate perspective tenants arriving unannounced,
and you want to be assured that you will be able to see the property
when you get there. Also, verify the information with the landlord over
the phone first.
- Be Presentable - Landlords want to rent to
individuals who look as if they would make good tenants. Proper attire
may improve your chances when there are several applicants. Treat your
viewing like a job interview.
- Be Persistent - A prospective landlord may take
your name and say he/she will get back to you after reviewing all applications.
Check back and remind the landlord that you are still interested.
- Carry Your Checkbook - If you find a place
you like, be prepared to put some money down to hold it. Landlords often
ask for a deposit. Make sure you get a receipt for the deposit. The
receipt should specify whether the deposit is refundable if you do not
rent the place and how the deposit will be used if you do rent the place,
e.g., as part of the security deposit or the first month's rent. Also
carry with you a list of personal references and their contact information
with you.
- Timing - Start looking early, and give yourself
at least a few weeks to find housing. The time in which students start
looking for housing changes every year, depending on the market and
the availability of housing for the next year. If you want a house for
the following school year, it is advisable to start looking for available
houses in the fall-winter of the year before. Landlords who usually
rent to students may be willing to have you sign a lease in advance.
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Online listings can provide many available apartment listings
and have other helpful information for prospective tenants on their sites.
Below are several links to sites that might be of use in your search.
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Home Stores
For those on a tighter budget:
- Salvation Army - 483 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145
- Good Will - located on Elm St in Davis Square
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Bernie & Phyl's
Clearance/Bedding in Everett & Weymouth
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Area Maps
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Newspapers
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Getting Help*
Housing Discrimination:
Massachusetts Commission Against
Discrimination
(617) 994-6000
Licensing Issues of Real Estate Agents /
Salespersons:
Division of Registration
Information: Real Estate Board (617) 727-2373
Complaints: Complaint Inquiries (617) 727-7407
Lead Paint Removal:
Department of Public Health
Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
(617) 624-5757; Toll Free: (800) 532-9571
Face-to-Face Mediation:
For the program in your area call:
Attorney General’s
Consumer Hotline
(617) 727-8400
Homelessness Prevention and Mediation for Low-Income
Tenants and Their Landlords:
Department of Housing and Community
Development
For the Homelessness Intercept Program in your area call (617) 573-1100
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Child Care Resources
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Childcare licenses are given by the Massachusetts
Department of Early Education and Care after an assessment of a
program's health, safety, and education qualifications. For further
information about criteria for state licensure, click
here. If you have questions about a specific child care provider,
you can find out how to contact your local EEC office by finding your
city or town
here.
The National Association for the Education of Young
Children has an alternative set of criteria for accrediting child care
facilities in addition to state licensure. The NAEYC accreditation is
voluntary. It assesses child care programs based on the education and
health of the children, the experience and credentials of the teaching
staff, the leadership and management of the administration, and the
strength of family and community partnerships. For more information
about accreditation, call the national office at 800-424-2460.
Here are some helpful websites for organizations,
national and local, that provide resources and advice concerning child
care. |
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Child Care Resource Center, Inc.
"CCRC works to ensure that children thrive. We promote the care and
education of all children through advocacy and programs that serve
families, professionals and communities.
CCRC serves parents, early care and education professionals and
employers with a broad spectrum of dependant care resource and
referral programs, training, information and support services, and
builds partnerships between community members and policy-makers to
ensure the health and well being of children."-CCRC website
Use this site to find information about different kinds of day care,
summer camps, care for children with disabilities, financial
assistance, and more. |
Massachusetts
Department of Early Education and Care
"EEC is responsible for all licensing
of early education and care programs, providing financial assistance
for child care services to low-income families, information and
referral services, parenting support for all families, and providing
professional development opportunities for staff in the early
education and care field."--EEC website
This website has information about financial assistance and grants for
parents and families throughout the state. There is also information
about regulations and policies for certified daycare in Massachusetts. |
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National Association for the
Education of Young Children
"Whether you're looking for a quality child care program,
preschool, or school for your child, or you're interested in
activities you can do at home to encourage your child's development,
NAEYC can help!"--NAEYC website
Also includes list of NAEYC accredited schools and day cares. |
Head Start
"The Head Start program provides grants to local public and private
non-profit and for-profit agencies to provide comprehensive child
development services to economically disadvantaged children and
families, with a special focus on helping preschoolers develop the
early reading and math skills they need to be successful in school." --
OSH website
Head Start's website lists resources and programs for parents of
preschoolers. |
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Tri-City
"The Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. is a multi-service,
anti-poverty agency serving the cities of Malden, Medford, Everett,
and surrounding communities." --Tri-City website
Tri-City provides services in "children and family services,"
"advocacy and community services," and "energy services." Their
website lists programs for children and families in the area. |
BostonCentral
This website includes a checklist for finding quality daycare,
information about different types of daycare, and links to a variety
of resources for families. |
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Lead Paint Information For
Families
There is a lead law in Massachusetts that requires the
deleading or interim control of lead hazards existing in homes built before
1978 where children under six reside. Owners are responsible for
complying with the Lead Law and paying the costs to delead. This includes
owners of rental property as well as owners living in their own single-family
or multi-family home.
Property owners can contact the Massachusetts Lead
Poisoning Prevention Program to get a list of licensed lead inspectors to
check for lead paint. Tenants with children under age six can call their
local Lead Poisoning Prevention Program or Health Department and ask for a
free lead inspection or determination.
For more information about lead paint and the
Massachusetts Lead Law click on :
http://www.mass.gov/dph/clppp/ledtop10.htm
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Legal Services
To Obtain Legal Assistance:
Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyer
Referral Program
(617) 338-0500
Legal Services Programs for Low-Income Consumers:
Call the
Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
(617) 973-8787;
Toll Free (888) 283-3757
Community Legal Services and Counseling Center
617-661-1010; Fax 617-661-3289
Greater Boston Legal Services
617-371-1234; Toll Free: 800-323-3205
Legal Advocacy and Resource Center
Administrative:
617-371-1123; Hotline: 617-603-1700
Volunteer Lawyers Project
617-423-0648
*This information taken from the
Mass.gov Tenant Rights & Responsibilities page.
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